Monthly Archives: January 2014

Yusuke Hiraoka’s life began the moment he met dance music as a teenager.

A local radio show in Nagoya, Japan streamed live from Night Club and served as Yusuke’s first encounter with modern dance music. He spent his teenage years immersing himself in the pulsing energy and soul of techno, deep house and R&B, until he reached a tipping point. One fateful night at Space Lab Yellow in Tokyo, Yusuke saw Timmy Regisford perform live and was transformed, convinced to make music of his own.

Since then Yusuke has dedicated himself to Reason and Ableton and clocked in countless hours in the studio and behind the decks at clubs. Now Yusuke and Makin’ Moves are releasing Water, an EP that features Japanese vocalist Nanako and remixes by Dazzle Drums and Josh Milan.

Water is a culmination of Yusuke’s aspirations since he first fell in love with the driving thump of house music. A deeply soulful number, Yusuke aimed to craft a vocal house track—in Japanese. While singing in English is standard fare in Japan, Yusuke wanted to re-contextualize this music with his own culture and language. After securing the production, in came Nanako, a powerful Japanese R&B singer, to take the track to the next level. Inspired by 90’s R&B, Nanako adds urgency and spirit to the track in a way that can be felt regardless if the words are understood.

Inspired by the impermanence of flowing water as a metaphor for the restless human mind, Nanako sings to bring a sense of peace and calm to the listener as Yusuke’s undeniably rubbery bass lines and spirited keys push the body to dance. The Japanese coed duo Dazzle Drums takes the tune to the forefront of the dancefloor with their remix, while veteran house producer Josh Milan puts the drums front and center for his Honeycomb remix. Whether in the privacy of your bedroom or in a crowded dance floor, Yusuke and Nanako’s “Water” will take you to a place of ease through a soulful musical journey.

Nanako is available as an exclusive promo via www.traxsource.com on 10th February, and then on all other digital stores from 10th March 2014.

This weekend we are djing 3 nights in row warming things up before the mighty UK funk and soul band Incognito at London’s famous jazz venue Jazz Cafe! Pioneers of the UK acid jazz movement with hits such as “Always There” and ” Don’t You Worry About A Thing”. These guys are just unbelievable live if you havent seen them already.

Unfortunately tickets for friday and saturdays shows are all sold out but you can still grab your tickets to join us on sunday night and catch one of the best live bands on the planet!

Juste Debout is the Worldwide Street Dance Festival in Popping, Locking, House, Hip Hop and Experimental dance. Heats are happening across the globe to find the worlds finest dancers in their craft, and this unique show comes to London for the third time on Saturday 8th February!

During the day at Camden Centre in Euston over 500 dancers will be competing to become the UK champion in different forms of dance who will then go ahead to the finals in Paris on 2nd March.

Reputable UK record label and events company Makin’ Moves who were recently involved in the successful House Dance UK event in December have come together with Juste Debout bringing their unique vibe for what we hope will be an after party to remember Upstairs at the well renowned Garage in Highbury to take the dance into the small hours to celebrate another successful event!

Catch resident djs Matt L-S and Jamesey spinning their unique deep soulful house, plus exclusive releases from their label aswell as support from UK boy-boy dj DJ Hooch who will be playing soul, funk boogie and hip hop so definitely something for everyone!

Saturday 8th February
Juste Debout After Party hosted by Makin’ Moves
Upstairs at The Garage
20-22, Highbury Crescent
London N5 1RD
10.30pm-4am

Makin’ Moves cross the pond for our second event in New York, this time taking place at the ultra cool arty Gallery space at Le Poisson Rouge in Manhattan’s East Village on Friday 14th February.

Last summer’s packed BBQ party at the East River Bar in Brooklyn with Matt L-S, Jihad Muhammad, Tyrone ‘Mixologist’ Francis and Master Kev was one of the most talked about parties last year so after popular demand we are back but this time around we’ll have both residents Jamesey and Matt L-S in the house so double the trouble!

The boys will be playing the best in deep / soulful house including exclusive material due out on their label later this year!